National Network to Eliminate Disparities (NNED) in Behavioral Health
Implementing the Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral, and
Treatment (SBIRT) model for substance use and abuse in community
health centers serving diverse communities
NNED
This project supports community health centers (CHCs) in adopting the SBIRT model,
with support around implementation, funding mechanisms, and reporting requirements.
Purpose
 Implement SBIRT within diverse community
health centers to screen for and identify
individuals with or at-risk for substance userelated problems
 Provide effective strategies for intervention prior
to the need for more extensive or specialized
treatment
 Connect CHCs in diverse communities with the
SBIRT model in order to better address health
disparities with a focus on prevention
primary care and behavioral health care; SBIRT
code approval in state Medicaid plan or have
other state codes that support SBIRT)
 Develop 1-page application for CHCs (to be
disseminated via state primary care associations
and NACHC)
--Define CHC criteria for inclusion (e.g., meets
disparities criteria; displays commitment to
implement SBIRT; taps lead as senior level staff)
 Assemble review panel to select LC members (up
to 10 CHCs)
Role of the NNED
 Build SBIRT Learning Cluster
 Support SBIRT implementation with ongoing
training and technical assistance
 Disseminate LC findings
Learning Cluster Support
 Convene consultative session of LC members and
partners
 Coordinate weekly (first month) then bimonthly
web conference convenings of LC members
 Host online virtual workspace for LC members
 Analyze monthly CHC reports with attention to
barriers/successes, community indicators, and
SBIRT outcomes
 Identify/analyze changes in the local community
to show the effects of SBIRT on the communities
Population Addressed
Those served by community health centers in diverse
communities
Time Frame
The project period is 12 months
Rationale and Relevance
 Regardless of current level of alcohol or drug
consumption, diverse community members can
benefit from education on safe alcohol
consumption and knowing how their own usage
compares to accepted limits
 Many change their behavior when educated about
health risks of substance use
 Brief interventions made possible by the SBIRT
model can reorient people away from behavior
that, unchecked, can lead to addiction
 Preliminary SBIRT data show 74% of high-risk
individuals reported lowering their drug or
alcohol consumption after one or more brief
treatment sessions, and 48% reported stopping
use.
Learning Cluster Development
 Identify states with policies that allow for SBIRT
implementation (e.g., same day payment for
Product Dissemination
 Support/coordinate 1 webinar presentation on the
LC outcomes and next steps to a national
audience (via NNED membership)
 Develop report on LC outcomes/next steps and
post on NNED LC page
Partners
 National Association of Community Health
Centers (NACHC)
 Center for Integrated Behavioral Health Policy,
George Washington University Medical Center
 SAMHSA SBIRT Program Team
Contact Person
Trina Dutta MPP, MPH
SAMHSA/Office of the Administrator
Phone: 240-276-1944
Email: trina.dutta@samhsa.hhs.gov